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Wednesday, December 7, 2011

The tree is up, the lights are lit,
there's so much more to do...but instead of focusing on all there is to do this Christmas and becoming overwhelmed and getting sucked into the consumerism that is everywhere, I am choosing to keep it simple.

Most importantly, my goal is to keep my eyes on Jesus, and lead my little lambs to Him.

Yes, there are parties to attend, meals to plan, presents to wrap and more festivities than I can count, but my focus has to remain on Him. If it didn't, why celebrate Christmas at all? It's not about all of that, but about Christ, and that is the best gift of all. It's just so easy, even for christians to fall away from what Christmas really is about. We have to be intentional about staying focused on more of Him, not more of the junk that is out there that the world is trying to sell us this time of year.

And ya know what? It is freeing to know I don't have to do it all, buy it all, and attend every function that is out there. I am going to be so content just sitting around the Christmas tree, sipping egg nog with my little ones gathered around as we read the true Christmas story. Pure and simple, the way Christmas should be.

We are a christian adoptive family! God has pieced together our family in a way that is more beautiful than anything I could have imagined! We have adopted internationally, as well as through the US foster care system, but most importantly we have all been adopted by God! Ephesians 1:5 says "God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ".
We live on a small hobby farm, and homeschool our six children. Life is full!

My first miracle born in 2001. After giving birth to her, I realized that being a mother was the best job out there, and children are a miracle and precious gift from God. She is a true country girl at heart. Horses are her passion. She is an amazing big sister to her 5 little siblings!

Adopted from China in 2007.
Her sweet spirit fills our home with beauty and love. She is our little dancer, and introduced me to the world of recitals, dance practices, tutu's and ballet! Most of all, her love for Jesus shines bright, and even at her young age, she has a passion for orphan care and missions. These are subjects she talks and prays about on a daily basis! Can't wait to see where the Lord takes this girl!

Adopted from U.S. foster care, July 2013.
God's surprises never cease to amaze me. He is Laney's full sibling who came to live with us in Nov. 2011. Our son since the day he arrived. This is the sweetest boy you will ever meet.

Adopted from U.S. foster care November 2011.
Words cannot describe the joy this precious pumpkin brings to our lives! Another sweet miracle fromt the Lord. She was our first foster baby, arriving at the age of 7 weeks. We were blessed to adopt her in November of 2011. She refers to herself as a princess, and is also a lover of kittens, books, and dancing. I guess many more dance practices and recitals are in our future, lol!

Adopted from U.S. foster care, July 2013.
She was our second foster child who came home from the hospital at one week old. She livens up our days with her endless energy and strong will! It has been such a joy to see her and Austin have the chance to be together as brother and sister, and they definately have a bond that makes my heart smile!

Adopted from U.S. foster care July 2013. What a surprise it was to see that the little boy I pictured in my mind, who only the Lord would know, was actually in need of a forever family! Another miraculous gift from the Lord. He arrived at 4 mos. of age in Oct. 2011. Cute as can be with a contagious laugh and smile.